DECKE COMMITTED

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 1, Issue 71, 14 November 1931, Page 5

DECKE COMMITTED

(Press Assn.—

EXPERT EVIDENCE REGARDING ACCUSED'S RIFLE AND AMMUNITION COUNSEL TO BE SUPPLIED

-By Telegraph — Copyright).

PALMERSTON N., Friday. The hearing of the charge of murder against Norman Robert Decke, in connection with the death of Edwin John Blakeway was resumed in the Magistrate's Court. Dr. Gharles Hector, of Wellington, gave lengthy and detailed evidence regarding the microscopic examjination of numerous exhibits connected with the case, including the Walther .22 rifle, also shell-s, ammunition, and bullets taken from the body of deceased. Witness said his conclusions were that the bullet from the chest of deceased, also a scrap from the left forearm, were Western .22 long rifle ammunition. Two bullets found on the roadside were grooved in a manner consistent with their having been fired from the suspect rifle. The evidence was not sufficient to prove that all the bullets were fired from the suspect rifle, but it did not preclude the possibility that they were. Characteristic Injury An examination of the rifle showed a characteristic injury in the rim of the ftring chamber. Three shells and a live cartridge found at the scene of the tragedy showed certain marks' which corresponded exactly with the injury on the rim of the gun chamber. Witness said identical groove marks were found on shells picked up near accused's whare and on all the test *jhells from the suspect rifle. Witness had not found the same marks on any other shells. His conclusion was that and those found at the scene of the the shells found near accused's whare tragedy had all been fired from the suspect rifle. On September 7 witness examined an overcoat belonging to de ceased, particularly a black maxk on the surface of the sleeve. From scrapings from that part he obtained powder grains very similar to, if not identical with, the powder obtained from a Western long rifle cartridge.

"Remarkably Thorough" Frederick Worley, Professor of Chemistry at Auckland University, gave evidence that he was in agr'eement with the conclusions of Dr. Hector, whose photographs and other work he examined. The investigation by Dr. Hector had been remarkably thorough. Sydney Tisdall, director of a firm of gunsmiths, gave' evidence of certain tests with Dr. Hector and the injury to the rifle. The magazine would hold five cartridges, together with one inserted in the chamber. William Donovan, Dominion Analyst, gave the result of tests carried out on rags used to clean Decke's rifle. He found traces of compound ! consistent with the brand of cartridges the same as were picked up at ; Karere. The powder stains on deceased also contained potassium. 1 ' Decke was eommitted for 'trial, the : Magistrate stating that the case was a proper one for the accused. to be supplied . with counsel.